263、我还见过从天堂来的仅由数字依照顺序连串写下而组成的文字，就像由字母和单词组合的文字。我被指示，这种文字出自至内层天堂，当思想从高层天堂流下来时，其属天的文字（如260-261节所述）就在低层天堂的天使面前呈现为数字，而且这种数字文字同样包含奥秘，有些既无法以思想来理解，也无法用言语来表达。因为一切数字都有对应性，和词语一样，有对应的意义。｛注1｝不同之处在于，数字涉及普遍的对象，词语则涉及具体的对象。由于一个普遍的对象包含无数具体的对象，所以数字文字比字母文字包含更多的奥秘。
我由此看出，在圣经中，数字和词语一样，都表示事物。简单的数字，如2，3，4，5，6，7，8，9，10，12以及复合的数字，如20，30，50，70，100，144，1000，10000，12000，等等，都表示什么，可参看《属天的奥秘》一书，那里有论述。｛注2｝在天堂的这种文字中，总有一个数字置于前面，后面跟随着一连串数字，如同紧跟着它们的主题。因为这个数字好象是所论述的事物的一个索引，它确定后面的数字与具体的要点之间的关系。
｛注1｝：在圣经中，一切数字都表示特定的事物（482，487，647，648，755，813，1963，1988，2075，2252，3252，4264，6470，6175，9488，9659，10217，10253）。从天堂说明（4495，5265）。复合数字和简单数字的含义是一样的，因为它们是由简单数字相乘而得的（5291，5335，5708，7973）。上古之人用数字传达属天的奥秘——形成对教会状态的一种计算（575）。
｛注2｝：【英164】显然，史威登堡在这里没有使用现代意义上的“合数”，即“可分解为两个或多个素数而不是一个和它本身”，正如他说“简单”时的意思是“素数”。 “简单”是指 12 或以下，“合数”大于12的数字是由两个或多个简单数字相乘所得的结果（487、575）。也许史威登堡在这个列表中跳过了11，因为正如他在别处所说，它的内在含义类似于 10（9616）。关于史威登堡对数字内在含义的一般解释（482，487，647，648，755，813，1963，1988，2075，2252）；以下各数的内在含义在《属天的奥秘》一书中的节号：2（720 ，900）；3（482、720、900）；4（1686）；5（649，798，1686）；6（62，84-85）；7（395，433，813:2）；8（2044）；9（1987，2025，2075:2）；10（468:4）;12（575，577，648:2）；144（7973:2-3）；一千（482，2588:4）; 12000（7973:2-3）。这份以及许多早期的手稿和出版物都证明了史威登堡终生对数字和数学感兴趣。
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263. 我还见过天堂有一种纯由数字构成, 并照秩序和系列排列的文字, 就像由字母和词语组合而成的文字. 我被告知, 这种文字出自至内层天堂, 当思维从高层天堂流下来时, 其天堂的文字(如260-261节所述)就在低层天堂的天使面前以数字来阐明; 并且这种数字文字同样含有奥秘, 其中有些奥秘既无法以思维来理解, 也无法以话语来表达. 事实上, 一切数字都相对应, 并照着它们的对应而具有意义, 和词语一样. 不同之处在于, 数字表现总的实体, 词语则表现具体的实体. 由于一个总体包含无数细节, 所以数字文字比字母文字包含更多奥秘.
我由此看出, 在圣言中, 数字和词语一样, 都表示事物. 至于简单的数字, 如2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 表示什么, 以及复合的数字, 如20, 30, 50, 70, 100, 144, 1000, 10, 000, 12, 000, 表示什么, 可参看《属天的奥秘》一书, 那里论述了它们. 在天堂的这种文字中, 总有一个数字作为前缀被摆在首位, 后续数字取决于这个数字, 如同取决于它们的主题; 因为这个数字可以说是所论述问题的一个索引, 而后续数字由此更具体地界定这个问题.
注: 在圣言中, 一切数字都表示事物(天国的奥秘 482, 487, 647, 648, 755, 813, 1963, 1988, 2075, 2252, 3252, 4264, 6470, 6175, 9488, 9659, 10217, 10253节). 从天堂说明(天国的奥秘 4495, 5265节). 复合数字和简单数字的含义是一样的, 因为它们是由简单数字相乘而得的(天国的奥秘 5291, 5335, 5708, 7973节). 上古之人通过数字传达天上的奥秘, 这些数字形成对教会状态的一种计算(天国的奥秘 575节).
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263. 我還見過天上有一種純由數位組成的書卷, 照一定的樣式和次序排列, 就像字母和文字的組合一樣。我被告知, 這樣的書卷出自內層天。當高層天的思想流入低層天時, 其屬天的文字(260-261)對低層天的天人顯為數位的形式。我還被告知, 這種數字型的書卷隱含奧秘, 有的是不可思議也不可言說的。事實上, 每個數字皆有相應的含義, 和文字一樣。所不同的是, 數字的意義更籠統, 而文字的意義更具體。由於整體是由無數具體的元素構成的, 所以數字型的書卷比字母型的書卷蘊含更多的奧秘。
我由此看出, 聖言中的每個數字都有一定的含義, 和文字一樣。簡單的數字, 如2-4-6-8-10, 12, 複合的數字, 如20, 30, 50, 70, 100, 144, 1000, 10000, 12000, 等等, 分別有何含義, 可參看天國的奧秘一書。
在這種數字型的書卷中, 通常有一個基要數字放在首位。該數位好比一個論文的標題, 後面的數字則具體地加以論述。
263. I have also seen written materials in heaven comprising nothing but numbers arranged in a pattern and series, just like the writing of letters and words; and I have been told that these writings come from the inmost heaven, whose heavenly writing (described above in 260-261) comes out as numbers for angels in the lower heavens when thought from the higher heaven flows down. I have also been told that this numerical writing enfolds mysteries, some of which cannot be grasped by thought or expressed in words. All numbers do in fact correspond and have meaning depending on their correspondence, just as words do, 1but with the difference that numbers represent general entities and words specific ones. Since one general entity involves countless specific ones, numeric writing enfolds more mysteries than alphabetic writing does.
I could see from this that numbers in the Word mean things just the way words do. What the simple numbers mean, like 2-3-5-7-9, 10, and 12, and what the composite ones mean, like 20, 30, 50, 70, 100, 144, 1000, 10,000, and 12,000 and others, may be seen in Secrets of Heaven, where such matters are dealt with.
In this kind of writing in heaven the number on which the following numbers depend in sequence is always put first, as though it set their theme; for this number is a kind of title of the matter under consideration, and the numbers that follow serve to delimit the matter more specifically.
Footnotes:
1. All the numbers in the Word mean particular things: 482, 487, 647-648, 755, 813, 1963, 1988, 2075, 2252, 3252, 4264, 4674 [4670?], 6175, 9488, 9659, 10217, 10253; shown from heaven: 4495, 5265. Multiples mean the same thing as their factors: 5291, 5335, 5708, 7973. The early people conveyed heavenly mysteries by numbers - a kind of ecclesiastical algebra: 575.
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263. I have also seen writings from heaven made up of mere numbers set down in order and in a series, just as in writings made up of letters and words. I have been instructed, too, that this writing is from the inmost heaven, and that their heavenly writing (spoken of above, 260-261), when the thought from it flows down, is presented to the angels of the lower heavens in numbers, and that this numerical writing likewise involves arcana, some of which can neither be comprehended by thought nor expressed by words. For all numbers correspond, and have a meaning, as words have, in accordance with the correspondence; 1yet with the difference that numbers involve generals, and words particulars. As one general involves innumerable particulars, so numerical writing involves more arcana than writing composed of letters. It was evident to me that in the Word the numbers as well as the words signify things. What the simple numbers signify, as 2-4-6-8-10, 12, and what the compound numbers, as 20, 30, 50, 70, 100, 144, 1000, 10,000, 12,000, and others, signify may be seen in ARCANA CAELESTIA, where they are dealt with. In that writing in heaven, a number is always prefixed on which those following in a series depend as on their subject. For that number is, as it were, an index to the matter dealt with, and from it is the determination of the numbers following in relation to the particular point.
Footnotes:
1. All numbers in the Word signify things (Arcana Coelestia 482, 487, 647-648, 755, 813, 1963, 1988, 2075, 2252, 3252, 4264, 4670, 6175, 9488, 9659, 10217, 10253).
Shown from heaven (Arcana Coelestia 4495, 5265).
Numbers multiplied have the same signification as the simple numbers from which they result by multiplication (Arcana Coelestia 5291, 5335, 5708, 7973).
The most ancient people had heavenly arcana in numbers, forming a kind of computation of states of the Church (575).
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263. I have also seen writings from heaven made up of mere numbers set down in order and in a series, just as in writings made up of letters and words; and I have been taught that this writing is from the inmost heaven, and that their heavenly writing (spoken of above, 260, 261), when the thought from it flows down, is set forth before the angels of the lower heavens in numbers, and that this numerical writing likewise involves arcana, some of which can neither be comprehended by thought nor expressed by words. For all numbers correspond, and have a meaning, the same as words do, in accordance with the correspondence; 1yet with the difference that in numbers generals are involved, and in words particulars; and as one general involves innumerable particulars, so more arcana are involved in numerical writing than in literal writing. From this I could see that in the Word numbers as well as words signify things. What the simple numbers signify, as 2-4-6-8-10, 12, and what the compound numbers, as 20, 30, 50, 70, 100, 144, 1000, 10,000, 12,000, and others, may be seen in the Arcana Celestia, where they are treated of. In this writing in heaven, a number is always prefixed on which those following in a series depend as on their subject; for that number is as it were an index to the matter treated of, and from it is the determination of the numbers that follow to the particular point.
Footnotes:
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263. Vidi etiam scripturas e caelo ex meris numeris exaratis in ordine et in serie, plane sicut in scripturis ex litteris et vocibus, et instructus sum quod haec scriptura sit ex intimo caelo, et quod caelestis eorum scriptura (de qua supra, 260, 261, actum est,) sistatur in numeris apud angelos inferioris caeli, cum cogitatio ex illa defluit; et quod numeralis illa scriptura similiter involvat arcana, quorum aliqua non comprehendi cogitatione, nec exprimi vocibus possunt: omnes enim numeri correspondent, et secundum correspondentiam significant, aeque ac voces; 1cum differentia tamen, quod numeri involvant communia, et voces singularia et quia unum commune involvit innumera singularia, inde est, quod numeralis scriptura involvat arcana plura quam litteralis. Ex his patuit mihi, quod numeri in Verbo aeque significent res ac voces ibi. Quid numeri simplices, ut 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, et quid compositi 20, 30, 50, 70, 100, 744, 1000, 10000, 12000, et plures significant, videri potest in Arcanis Caelestibus, ubi de illis actum est. In scriptura illa in caelo praeponitur semper numerus, ex quo sequentes in serie pendent ut a suo subjecto; nam ille numerus est quasi index rei de qua agitur, et ex quo sequentium numerum determinatio est ad rem in specie.
Footnotes: